<p><strong>Aim</strong> To determine the prevalence of aerobic vaginitis (AV) caused by <em>Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis)</em> in human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive women with pathological Pap test and to determine the most prevalent HPV type associated with <em>E. faecalis</em> infection.<br /><strong>Methods</strong> This prospective study was conducted at the Gynaecology Centre "Dr. Mahira Jahić" Tuzla and Primary Health Care Centre Te&scaron;anj (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the period between February 2023 and March 2024. The research included 200 women aged 25 to 50 years. The examined group consisted of 100 women with a pathological (examined group) and 100 with a normal (control group) Pap test result.<br /><strong>Results</strong> Pathological Pap smears were found in 60 (out of 100; 60 %) women in the examined group: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and CIN 2 &nbsp;in two women, respectively, CIN 3 in seven, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in 29 and atypical squamous cells-high-grade cannot be excluded (ASC-H) in two women. Overall (both groups) prevalence of <em>E. faecalis</em> was 25.5% (51women); in 45 (22.5%) women <em>E. faecalis</em> was the only bacterial isolate, of which 42 (21%) in the examined group and three (1.5%) in the control group. High-risk HPV types were found in 62 (out of &nbsp;100; 62%) women with the pathological Pap smear test. The association of <em>E. faecalis</em> and high-risk HPV positive women was found in 35 (35%) cases (moderately positive correlation; r=0.198).<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong> E. faecalis is very common in HPV 16 and 18 positive women and may represent a risk factor in the development of cervical intraepithelial lesions.</p>

Background: Human papillomavirus is a risk factor in the development of cervical cancer. Other risk factors are frequent vaginal infections, cigarette smoking, use of oral contraceptives, but also lack of lacrobacillus in women with HPV infection. Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the risk factors for the development of cervical intraepithelial lesions in women with normal and pathological Pap test results. Methods: The research is a prospective study conducted in the Gynecology Center "Dr. Mahira Jahić" Tuzla and Dom Zdravlja Tešanj since February. 2023 to March 2024. The research included 200 respondents aged 25 to 50. Tested group: 100 subjects with pathological Pap smear findings (ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL) and a control group of 100 subjects with normal Pap smear findings. Sociodemographic data were obtained from the subjects during interviews and examinations: age, cigarette consumption and frequency of previous vaginal infections and the presence of lactobacilli. The obtained results were processed using the methods of descriptive statistics, student's t test and X2 test. A difference for a value of p<0.5 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the dpbo examined group was 38.1±1.7, while in the control group it was 39.6±1.9 years. Cigarettes were consumed by 62 (31%), 38 (19%) of the examined group, and 24 (12%) of the control group with a statistically significant difference of p<0.05. Out of a total of 100 in the examined group, 60 subjects had LSIL, 9 subjects had HSIL (CIN 2 two subjects and CIN 3 had 7), and ASCUS 29 and ASC-H 2 subjects. Subjects with pathological findings had significantly more vaginal infections during one year (p<0.05). HPV was positive in 65 (65%) subjects with a pathological Pap smear test, and negative HPV in 35 (35%). HPV 16,18 was present in 19 (19%) test subjects in combined form, and mono-isolate HPV 16 in 14 (14%) and HPV 18 in one case. In the combined form of several HPVs, HPV 16 and HPV 31, 33, 35, 45, 56 were found in 5 (5%), and HPV 18 in 4 (4%) with HPV 36, 59, 68. The most frequently isolated HPV 16 in 38 (38%) as monoisolate and in combined form. Lactobacilli were present in 26 (13%) subjects in the test group and in 60 (30%) subjects in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The presence of Lactobacillus in subjects with a regular Pap test is significantly more frequent compared to women with cervical intraepithelial lesions (ASCUS, LSIL, ASC-H and HSIL) ) in the finding of the Pap test. Conclusion: Altered microflora of the vagina, lack of lactobacilli, frequent vaginal infections and smoking are risk factors for the development of CIN lesions in women positive for high-risk HPV.

Bckground: Aerobic vaginitis is an imbalance of the vaginal flora and the main characteristic is an abnormal vaginal flora that contains aerobic and intestinal pathogens with varying degrees of vaginal inflammation. The frequency of AV varies from 12% to 23.7% in symptomatic women who are not pregnant and 4 to 8% during pregnancy and has an increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STI). The causative agents of AV are: Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), Esherichia coli, group B streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Objective: The aim of this review was to present the most important features of aerobic vaginitis regarding description of this frequent clinical problems within population in Bosnia and Herzegovina and also worlfwide. Methods: Author analized aerobic vaginitis based on scientific literature by searching published papers in important indexed databases. Results and Discussion: The most frequently isolated AV pathogen is E. faecalis in about 31%. New works indicate the presence of the HPV 16 gene and genome in E. faecalis in the biopsied material of cervical cancer, as well as the ability that HPV 16 genes can be translated and transcribed in these bacteria, and that the HPV gene can form viral particles in these bacteria leads to certain connection that can be a risk factor in the progression of cervical lesions to cancer. A decrease in the number of lactobacilli in the vaginal secretion reduces the defense ability and changes the pH value of the vaginal environment, which favors the development of bacterial inflammation. AV positive for E. faecalis leads to a change in the pH value of the vaginal environment above 5, and the increased pH value of the vaginal environment in HPV positive women can be an association for cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN). A dominant pathogen in AV such as E. faecalis can reduce the protective effect of lactobacilli by causing inflammation, as well as an increase in IL-6, IL-8 and TNF, increasing the risk of HPV 16 infection resulting in CIN and cervical cancer. In cervical cancer research, the presence of genes and genomes (except E1) of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 was found in bacteria such as: E. faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus from cervical cancer biopsies. Intensive treatment of AV could be a very important factor in preventing the onset of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The recommended treatment of AV includes a combination of therapy such as: antibacterial (antiseptic and antibiotic), hormonal, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and/or probiotics, which can be prescribed in the form of local or systemic therapy. Conclusion: There is no generally accepted clinical strategy for the treatment of AV caused by E. faecalis. Most authors suggest that therapy be based on microscopic or microbiological findings using a topical antibiotic for the infectious agent, a topical steroid to reduce inflammation, and estrogen to treat atrophy.

Background: Vaginal microflora plays an important role in cervical carcinogenesis. An increase in vaginal pH is associated with the severity of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and a decrease in the number of lactobacilli. Microbial dysbiosis contributes to the damage of the epithelial barrier, as well as the reprogramming of immune and metabolic signaling. Dysbiotic bacteria cause damage to the epithelial barrier, immune dysregulation and genotoxicity and create a tumor-permissive microenvironment. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of risk factors (abnormal colposcopic and microbiological status, elevated pH of the vaginal environment) in regular Pap tests and LSIL. Methods: Retrospective prospective study 2021-2022. 90 women with pap smears were analyzed: 40 with LSIL at the Gynecological Center “Dr. Mahira Jahić” Tuzla and 50 with normal findings at the Tesanj Health Center. General data such as: age of the subjects, reproductive status, contraception, smoking and data on colposcopic examination, microbiological findings and vaginal pH value were analyzed. Statistical data processing was done in the SPSS program. Results: The average age of the test subjects is 39.94, in normal Pap 41.20 years, and in LSIL 38.38 years. The vital characteristics of the subjects did not differ significantly, except for smoking, where in LSIL findings, they consumed cigarettes significantly more often. Abnormal colposcopic examination were found in 85% (N-34) of women with LSIL. In subjects with LSIL, a positive microbiological test for enterobacteria was found in 47.5% (N-19) and a normal pap test in 12% (N-6). Statistically significant difference p=0.00523 p<0.05, E faecalis and E coli had the highest prevalence in LSIL. The mean pH value of the vaginal environment in LSIL is 5.38, and 4.96 in a regular pap test. Subjects with LSIL in 10% (N-4) had a normal pH test, and 48% (N-24) had a normal Pap test. P=0.00129 p < (0.05). A normal pH value was significantly more common in subjects with a normal Pap test. Microbiological flora, especially enterogenic bacteria, are more common in LSIL than in women with a regular pap test. Conclusion: when monitoring women with LSIL, special attention should be paid to the elimination of present enterobacteria (E.faecalis and E.coli) as a possible risk factor in the development of precancerous lesions (SIL) and cervical cancer.

Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina School of Medicine, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital Tešanj, 74260 Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina Gynecology Centre "Dr Mahira Jahic" Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital, "Sveti Duh", 10000 Zagreb, Croatia School of Medicine, Croatian Catholic University Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Introduction: Cervical cancer can be successfully prevented by timely detection of changes that precede it such as atypical (ASC-H) and high grade squamous lesions (HSIL). Aim: To investigate the correlation between Pap smear and colposcopy in the detection of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions based on a pathohistological finding. Methods: In a retrospective study 118 patients with HSIL and ASC-H findings were examined. A Pap smear, colposcopic examination and cervical canal biopsy were performed. The study was conducted at the Gynecological Center “Dr Mahira Jahic” Tuzla and the Clinical Center Tuzla, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Results: 1049 abnormal Pap tests were analyzed, ASCUS in 51,8% (N-544), LSIL 32,1% (N-337), HSIL 7,7% (N-81) and ASC-H 3,5% (N-37), AGC 4,8% (N-51). The mean age of the subjects with the abnormal Pap test was 46.33 ± 3.2. The age of patients with ASCUS lesion was 38,6 , LSIL 41,0, ASC-H was 47,3 , HSIL (CIN II and CIN III) 45,8 , while patients with CIS were 51,2 years. Pathological histology HSIL confirmed a high grade lesion in 67,7% (CIN II, CIN III and CIS) (N-55), in 32% (N-26) a lower grade CIN I in 18,5% and chronic cervicitis in 13,5% (N-11). In ASC-H lesion pathohistological HSIL was found in 13,5% (N-5), CIN I 13,5% (N-5) and chronic cervicitis 48,6 % (N-18). Abnormal colposcopic imaging with HSIL lesion was found in 72,9% (N-69), in 8,6% (N-7) was unsatisfactory and in 18,5% (N-15) the colposcopic finding was normal. In ASC-H lesions, abnormal colposcopic imaging was found in 40,5% (N-15), unsatisfactory findings in 10,8% (N-4), and normal findings in 48,6% (N-18). Conclusion: Colposcopy has proven to be better method than cytology with an accuracy of 72,9% in high-grade lesion such as HSIL and ASC-H.

Introduction: Infection with human papillomavirus is the main cause of cervical carcinoma. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) 556 cases of cervical carcinoma are diagnosed annually, and 141 women die from it. Aim: To determine the most common HPV type found in ASCUS and LSIL and progression, regression and persistence of lesions. Methods: In a retrospective study, 11 051 PAP tests, performed in several private gynecological practices located in Tuzla Canton from January 2016 to December 2019, were analyzed. In processing of data , X2 – statistical method was used. Results: 11051 PAP test were inspected. Normal findings were found in 90.48% (N-10002) and pathological findings in 9.49% (N- 049). ASCUS was present in 4.9% (N-544), LSIL in 3.04% (N-337), HSIL in 0.74% (N-84), ASC-H in 0.27% (N-30) and AGC in 0.49% (N-55) of cases. The most common is HPV 16, found in 50.5% (N-44) of ASCUS and LSIL. Monoinfection with HPV 16 was found in 40.9% (N-18) ASCUS (N-3) and LSIL (N-15), and a combination of HPV 16 with other types like HPV 18, 31, 33, 39 in 59% (N-26). Progression of ASCUS lesion in HSIL 1.6% (N-2), and LSIL 9.6% (N-12). Progression of LSIL to HSIL was found in 9.0% (N-10). HSIL progresses significantly more frequent from LSIL (p<0.05) than from ASCUS changes. Lesions that progress into higher grade HSIL are HPV 16 positive. Progression into HSIL is not found in patients with low-risk HPV 6 and 11 infection. Conclusion: Women infected with HPV 16 have more a frequent progression of a lesion into higher grade HSIL. They should be intensively monitored because of the increased risk for development of cervical carcinoma.

Introduction: Genital warts are a frequent form of sexually transmitted disease. Cryotherapy represents the first line of therapy. Healing occurs in 94%, and recurrence in 10% . Side effects are common during the treatment. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the successfulness of cryotherapy of genital warts, frequency of recurrence, and side effects. Patients and methods: In a retrospective study, data from 50 women with genital warts who were treated in the Gynecological Centre “Dr Mahira Jahić” in Tuzla in a period from 2012–2018 were analyzed. Every woman was treated with cryotherapy. Treatments were repeated every 7 days, maximal number of treatments being 7. In processing of data, X2statistical method was used. Results: 50% (N-25) of genital warts eliminated after 3 treatments with cryotherapy . Genital warts are eliminated in 78% (N-39) of women, while this treatment was unsuccessful in 18% (N-9). Recurrence after 3 months in 4% (N-2). Most common side effect was exudation in 78% (N-39), swelling in 72% (N-36) and pain in 66% (N-33). PAP smears in women with genital warts in 64% (N-34) of cases were inflammatory benign changes, while in 36% (N-18) mild abnormal changes in cells ASCUS and LSIL were found. LSIL lesions of cervix are more common (p<0,01) in women with genital warts of vulva. Conclusion: Cryotherapy is a method with a high success rate in healing of genital warts, and it decreases the concentration of HPV virus and removes the trigger that allows the development of cancer.

Introduction: Cervical erosion and squamouse intraepithelial lesion of low grade are most common gynecological problems of women. These changes on cervix are cause of painful coitus and enhanced vaginal secretion. Cryotherapy is widely accepted method in treating these changes and sympthoms. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the efficiency of cryotherapy in eliminating erosion of cervics and LSIL, as well as conditions following these states. Patients and methods: Cryotherapy was performed in 124 women with cervical erosion (N-74) and LSIL (N-50). Sympthoms that were followed are: vaginal secretion, abnormal vaginal bleeding and pain. Assessment of epithelisation of cervix and evaluation of sympthoms were done 4 and 6 weeks after cryotherapy and PAP test after 4 months in women with LSIL. Statistical method used in result processing was X2 test. Results: The average age of examined women is 37,75±8,2. Enhanced vaginal secretion had 87,09% (N-120), painful coitus 61,29% (N-76), pain in lesser pelvis 52,41% (N-65) and abnormal vaginal bleeding 28,22% (N-35). Erosion of cervix had 14% (N-7) of women with LSIL. After cryotherapy, enhanced vaginal secretion remained in 21,77% (N-27) of women, painful coitus remained in 8,06% (N-10), pain in lesser pelvis remained in 5,6% (N-7) and abnormal vaginal bleeding in 6,4% (N-8). Four weeks after cryotherapy, complete epithelisation of cervix was in 87,90% (N-109) and after six weeks in 93,54% (N-116) of examined women. LSIL was eliminated in 92% (N-46) of women after cryotherapy and in 8% (N-4) results remained the same. Conclusion: Cryotherapy is successful method of elimination of cervical erosion, LSIL and pains with enhanced vaginal secretion.